Dolly Parton’s Health Update Amid Cancellations and Sister’s Prayer Plea

Dolly Parton is on the mend and expected to recover in time for her rescheduled Las Vegas residency dates next fall, the Daily Mail has exclusively learned.

The country icon, 79, sparked concern earlier this week when she once again had to miss a public event due to her ongoing health issues.

Dressed in a sparkly blue dress and styled in full glam, Parton told her fans Monday why she would not attend the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Hall of Fame ceremony. 

‘I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I’ve been dealing with a few health challenges this fall and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while,’ the 9 to 5 singer explained.

The latest cancellation came just after Parton skipped the Governors Awards, where she was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and a few weeks after her sister Frieda Parton wrote via Facebook that she ‘was led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.’

However, Caesars Palace president Sean McBurney that he and his team are ‘very excited for Dolly’ and insisted: ‘She’s doing well.’

Speaking at the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, he also confirmed that the Grammy winner ‘has her shows in September [2026]’ and is still on track to hit the stage at the renowned Colosseum concert venue for her Dolly: Live in Las Vegas residency.

Dolly was initially supposed to perform in the heart of the Las Vegas strip from December 4 to 13, but revealed in a heartfelt post in September that she was forced to postpone.

‘As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures,’ the Jolene singer said at the time.

She quashed any retirement chatter at the time adding: ‘Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. 

‘But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you. I love you and thank you for understanding.’ 

As more commitments were cancelled, fans of Dolly grew worried about her health.

However, the Islands in the Streams singer’s other sister, Stella Parton, disclosed in October that Dolly had been battling kidney stones and was getting treatment.

Her UK manager also confirmed at the time that she was not seriously ill. Olly Rowland shared in October that Frieda’s plea for prayers were a ‘bit blown out of proportion.’

Dolly herself has since shared a heartwarming Thanksgiving Day message via Instagram, in which she appeared all dolled-up in a stylish tweed jacket.

‘I am so thankful for all of you and for the memories that we’ve shared through the years,’ she told her fans in a video, seemingly in very good spirits. 

Meanwhile, in Sin City, McBurney said concertgoers cannot wait to snag what has become the ‘hottest ticket’ in town.

‘I’ve been here 20 years and we lived through the Celine [Dion] days, and the Elton [John] days, and the Adele days, but the number of calls I got from people wanting to see Dolly Parton was next level,’ the Caesars Palace president said. 

‘This will be, I think, the busiest year we’ve had in a decade at the Colosseum.’ 

Dolly’s new Las Vegas concert dates are for September 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, and 26, 2026.

However, before the country songstress makes her return, the Colosseum will close out 2025 with a showstopping performance by Jennifer Lopez on New Years’ Eve. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Dolly’s representatives for comment.